Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS OF RADIO COMMUNICATION INVOLVING MULTIPLE RADIO
CHANNELS, AND RADIO SIGNAL REPEATER AND MOBILE STATION
APPARATUSES IMPLEMENTING SAME
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of United States provisional patent
application no. 61/245,349 filed September 24, 2009, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to radio communication, and more particularly
to methods of radio communication involving multiple radio channels and to
apparatuses implementing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Numerous standards for radio communication are known. For example, the
Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM") standard is a radio
communication standard for mobile telephones, and prescribes radio
frequencies ranging from about 380 MHz to about 2 GHz. Other radio
communication standards for mobile telephones include the Time Division
Multiple Access ("TDMA") standard and the Code Division Multiple Access
("CDMA") standard, and these standards also generally prescribe radio
frequencies less than about 2.5 GHz. The Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers ("IEEE") 802.11 and 802.16 standards are other radio
communication standards that prescribe radio signals having frequencies less
than about 5 GHz.
These standards generally prescribe radio signals at relatively low radio
frequencies, and generally lower radio frequencies permit lower operating
bandwidth than higher radio frequencies. However, higher radio frequencies
generally have shorter range and generally are more sensitive to
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environmental interference (such as rain and oxygen absorption, for example)
than lower radio frequencies. Such shorter range may require radio frequency
repeaters that are closer together, but positioning known repeaters closer
together may cause disadvantageously cause interference between the
signals of the repeaters. Therefore, many known standards for radio
communication prescribe radio signals at relatively low radio frequencies to
avoid such disadvantages of higher radio frequencies and to use
commercially wireless hardware, but disadvantageously provide lower
bandwidths because of the relatively low radio frequencies, and are
disadvantageously limited to available radio frequency bands at such
relatively low radio frequencies.
SUMMARY
In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, there is provided a method of
facilitating radio communications. The method involves: receiving, at a radio
signal repeater from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel, a
first
radio signal encoded with a first message; after receiving the first radio
signal,
transmitting, from the radio signal repeater to a second remote radio station
on a
second radio channel different from the first radio channel, a second radio
signal
encoded with the first message; receiving, at the radio signal repeater from
the
second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first
and
second radio channels, a third radio signal encoded with a second message;
and after receiving the third radio signal, transmitting, from the radio
signal
repeater to the first remote radio station on a fourth radio channel different
from
the first, second, and third radio channels, a fourth radio signal encoded
with the
second message.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division
multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency
bands
respectively.
The first and fourth radio channels may time-division multiplexed on a first
radio
frequency band, and the second and third radio channels may be time-division
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multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first radio
frequency band.
The method may further involve receiving, at the radio signal repeater,
configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a
configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency
bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels.
The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and
about 64 GHz.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio
frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.
Transmitting the second radio signal may involve amplifying the first radio
signal,
and transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve amplifying the third
radio
signal.
Transmitting the second radio signal may involve digitally decoding the first
message from the first radio signal and encoding the decoded first message for
the second radio signal, and transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve
digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and encoding
the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal.
The method may further involve determining a first signal-to-noise ratio
representing a ratio of strength of the first radio signal to noise in the
first radio
signal at the radio signal repeater, and determining a second signal-to-noise
ratio representing a ratio of strength of the third radio signal to noise in
the third
radio signal at the radio signal repeater. If the first signal-to-noise ratio
satisfies a
first criterion, transmitting the second radio signal may involve amplifying
the first
radio signal. If the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first
criterion,
transmitting the second radio signal may involve digitally decoding the first
message from the first radio signal and encoding the decoded first message for
the second radio signal. If the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a
second
criterion, transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve amplifying the
third
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radio signal. If the second signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the second
criterion, transmitting the fourth radio signal may involve digitally decoding
the
second message from the third radio signal and encoding the decoded second
message for the fourth radio signal.
The first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion if the first
signal-to-
noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, and the first signal-to-noise ratio may
not
satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed
the first
threshold. The second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion
if the
second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, and the second signal-
to-noise ratio may not satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-
noise
ratio does not exceed the second threshold.
The method may further involve: before transmitting the second radio signal,
receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the first remote radio station on
the
second radio channel, a fifth radio signal encoded with the first message, the
first radio signal being stronger than the fifth radio signal; and comparing
respective signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals to determine
that the
first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal. Transmitting the
second
radio signal may involve selecting the second radio channel instead of the
first
radio channel for the second radio signal in response to determining that the
first
radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal.
The method may further involve: receiving, at the radio signal repeater from
the
first remote radio station on the first radio channel, a sixth radio signal
encoded
with a third message; after receiving the sixth radio signal, transmitting, to
a third
remote radio station on a fifth radio channel different from the first,
second, third,
and fourth radio channels, a seventh radio signal encoded with the third
message; receiving, at the radio signal repeater from the third remote radio
station on the fifth radio channel, an eighth radio signal encoded with a
fourth
message; and after receiving the eighth radio signal, transmitting, to the
first
remote radio station on the fourth radio channel, a ninth radio signal encoded
with the fourth message.
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The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency less than about 5 GHz.
Receiving the sixth radio signal may involve receiving the sixth radio signal
on a
subchannel of the first radio channel associated with the third remote radio
station. Transmitting the seventh radio signal may involve transmitting the
seventh radio signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated
with
the third remote radio station. Receiving the eighth radio signal may involve
receiving the eighth radio signal on the subchannel of the fifth radio channel
associated with the third remote radio station. Transmitting the ninth radio
signal
may involve transmitting the ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth
radio channel associated with the third remote radio station.
The sixth radio signal may include a destination field including destination
data
designating the third remote radio station.
The method may further involve: receiving the second radio signal at the
second
remote radio station from the radio signal repeater; and after receiving the
second radio signal, transmitting, from the second remote radio station to a
fourth remote radio station on the first radio channel, a tenth radio signal
encoded with the first message.
The method may further involve, before transmitting the third radio signal,
receiving, at the second remote station from the fourth remote station on the
fourth radio channel, an eleventh radio signal encoded with the second
message.
In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a radio
signal repeater apparatus including: provisions for receiving, from a first
remote
radio station on a first radio channel, a first radio signal encoded with a
first
message; provisions for transmitting, after receiving the first radio signal,
a
second radio signal to a second remote radio station on a second radio channel
different from the first radio channel, the second radio signal encoded with
the
first message; provisions for receiving, from the second remote radio station
on
a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels, a
third
radio signal encoded with a second message; and provisions for transmitting,
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after receiving the third radio signal, a fourth radio signal to the first
remote radio
station on a fourth radio channel different from the first, second, and third
radio
channels, the fourth radio signal encoded with the second message.
In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a radio
signal repeater apparatus including: an interface for facilitating radio
communication with first and second remote radio stations on first, second,
third,
and fourth different radio channels; and a processor in communication with the
interface. The processor is operably configured to: receive, from the
interface, a
first radio signal from the first remote radio station on the first radio
channel, the
first radio signal encoded with a first message; cause the interface to
transmit,
after receiving the first radio signal, a second radio signal to the second
remote
radio station on the second radio channel, the second radio signal encoded
with
the first message; receive, from the interface, a third radio signal from the
second remote radio station on the third radio channel, the third radio signal
encoded with a second message; and cause the interface to transmit, after
receiving the third radio signal, a fourth radio signal to the first remote
radio
station on the fourth radio channel, the fourth radio signal encoded with the
second message.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division
multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency
bands
respectively.
The first and fourth radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a
first
radio frequency band, and the second and third radio channels may be time-
division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first
radio frequency band.
The processor may be further operably configured to receive, from the
interface,
configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a
configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency
bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels.
The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and
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about 64 GHz.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio
frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.
The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit
the
second radio signal by amplifying the first radio signal, and the processor
may
be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio
signal
by amplifying the third radio signal.
The processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit
the
second radio signal by digitally decoding the first message from the first
radio
signal and by encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal,
and the processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to
transmit
the fourth radio signal by digitally decoding the second message from the
third
radio signal and by encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio
signal.
The processor may be further operably configured to determine a first signal-
to-
noise ratio representing a ratio of strength of the first radio signal to
noise in the
first radio signal at the interface. The processor may be operably configured
to
cause the interface to transmit the second radio signal by amplifying the
first
radio signal if the first signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a first criterion.
The
processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the
second radio signal by digitally decoding the first message from the first
radio
signal and by encoding the decoded first message for the second radio signal
if
the first signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the first criterion. The
processor
may be further operably configured to determine a second signal-to-noise ratio
representing a ratio of strength of the third radio signal to noise in the
third radio
signal at the interface. The processor may be operably configured to cause the
interface to transmit the fourth radio signal by amplifying the third radio
signal if
the second signal-to-noise ratio satisfies a second criterion. The processor
may
be operably configured to cause the interface to transmit the fourth radio
signal
by digitally decoding the second message from the third radio signal and by
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encoding the decoded second message for the fourth radio signal if the second
signal-to-noise ratio does not satisfy the second criterion.
The first signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the first criterion if the first
signal-to-
noise ratio exceeds a first threshold, and the first signal-to-noise ratio may
not
satisfy the first criterion if the first signal-to-noise ratio does not exceed
the first
threshold. The second signal-to-noise ratio may satisfy the second criterion
if the
second signal-to-noise ratio exceeds a second threshold, and the second signal-
to-noise ratio may not satisfy the second criterion if the second signal-to-
noise
ratio does not exceed the second threshold.
The processor may be further operably configured to: receive from the
interface,
before transmitting the second radio signal, a fifth radio signal from the
first
remote radio station on the second radio channel, the fifth radio signal
encoded
with the first message and not as strong as the first radio signal; compare
respective signal strengths of the first and fifth radio signals; and select
the
second radio channel instead of the first radio channel for the second radio
signal if the first radio signal is stronger than the fifth radio signal.
The processor may be further operably configured to: receive, from the
interface, a sixth radio signal from the first remote radio station on the
first radio
channel, the sixth radio signal encoded with a third message; after receiving
the
sixth radio signal, cause the interface to transmit, to a third remote radio
station
on a fifth radio channel different from the first, second, third, and fourth
radio
channels, a seventh radio signal encoded with the third message; receive, from
the interface, an eighth radio signal from the third remote radio station on
the
fifth radio channel, the eighth radio signal encoded with a fourth message;
and
after receiving the eighth radio signal, cause the interface to transmit, to
the first
remote radio station on the fourth radio channel, a ninth radio signal encoded
with the fourth message.
The fifth radio channel may have a radio frequency less than about 5 GHz.
The processor may be operably configured to receive the sixth radio signal on
a
subchannel of the first radio channel associated with the third remote radio
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station. The processor may be operably configured to transmit the seventh
radio
signal on a subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the third
remote
radio station. The processor may be operably configured to receive the eighth
radio signal on the subchannel of the fifth radio channel associated with the
third
remote radio station. The processor may be operably configured to transmit the
ninth radio signal on a subchannel of the fourth radio channel associated with
the third remote radio station.
The sixth radio signal may include a destination field including destination
data,
and the processor may be operably configured to cause the interface to
transmit
the seventh radio signal in response to receiving the sixth radio signal when
the
destination field of the sixth radio signal includes destination data
designating
the third remote radio station.
In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a method
of radio communication. The method involves: receiving a first radio signal at
a
mobile station from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel;
transmitting a second radio signal from the mobile station to the first remote
radio station on a second radio channel associated with the first radio
channel
and different from the first radio channel; receiving a third radio signal at
the
mobile station from a second remote radio station on a third radio channel
different from the first and second radio channels; and transmitting a fourth
radio
signal from the mobile station to the second remote radio station on a fourth
radio channel associated with the third radio channel and different from the
first,
second, and third radio channels.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division
multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency
bands
respectively.
The first and second radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a
first
radio frequency band, and the third and fourth radio channels may be time-
division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first
radio frequency band.
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The method may further involve receiving, at the mobile station, configuration
information encoded in a configuration information signal in a configuration
radio
frequency band different from respective radio frequency bands of the first,
second, third, and fourth radio channels.
The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and
about 64 GHz.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio
frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.
In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a mobile
station apparatus including: provisions for receiving a first radio signal
from a
first remote radio station on a first radio channel; provisions for
transmitting a
second radio signal to the first remote radio station on a second radio
channel
associated with the first radio channel and different from the first radio
channel;
provisions for receiving a third radio signal from a second remote radio
station
on a third radio channel different from the first and second radio channels;
and
provisions for transmitting a fourth radio signal to the second remote radio
station on a fourth radio channel associated with the third radio channel and
different from the first, second, and third radio channels.
In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, there is provided a mobile
station apparatus including: an interface for facilitating radio communication
with
first and second remote radio stations on first, second, third, and fourth
different
radio channels; and a processor in communication with the interface. The
processor is operably configured to: receive, from the interface, a first
radio
signal from a first remote radio station on a first radio channel; cause the
interface to transmit a second radio signal to the first remote radio station
on a
second radio channel associated with the first radio channel and different
from
the first radio channel; receive, from the interface, a third radio signal
from a
second remote radio station on a third radio channel different from the first
and
second radio channels; and cause the interface to transmit a fourth radio
signal
to the second remote radio station on a fourth radio channel associated with
the
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third radio channel and different from the first, second, and third radio
channels.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may be frequency-division
multiplexed on first, second, third, and fourth different radio frequency
bands
respectively.
The first and second radio channels may be time-division multiplexed on a
first
radio frequency band, and the third and fourth radio channels may be time-
division multiplexed on a second radio frequency band different from the first
radio frequency band.
The processor may be further operably configured to receive, from the
interface,
configuration information encoded in a configuration information signal in a
configuration radio frequency band different from respective radio frequency
bands of the first, second, third, and fourth radio channels.
The configuration radio frequency band may be between about 57 GHz and
about 64 GHz.
The first, second, third, and fourth radio channels may have respective radio
frequencies between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz.
Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in
the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments
in
conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings of various illustrative embodiments:
Figure 1 is a top-view schematic representation of an illustrative radio
communication system;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a base station of the radio
communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the base
station of Figure 2;
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Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a downlink signal transmitted by a
radio communication interface of the base station of Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the base station
of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of an uplink signal received at the
radio communication interface of the base station of Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the base
station of Figure 2;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a configuration signal transmitted
by the radio communication interface of the base station of Figure
2;
Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a radio signal repeater of the
radio communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the radio signal
repeater of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the radio signal
repeater of Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the radio
signal repeater of Figure 9;
Figure 13 is a schematic representation of a mobile station of the radio
communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 14 is a schematic representation of downlink codes of the mobile
station of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a schematic representation of uplink codes of the mobile station
of Figure 13;
Figure 16 is a schematic representation of configuration codes of the mobile
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station of Figure 13;
Figure 17 is a schematic representation of illustrative signals transmitted
and
received in the radio communication system of Figure 1;
Figure 18 is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals
transmitted and received in the radio communication system of
Figure 1;
Figure 19 is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals
transmitted and received in the radio communication system of
Figure 1; and
Figure 20 is a schematic representation of other illustrative signals
transmitted and received in the radio communication system of
Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary radio communication system is shown
generally at 100 and includes a base station 102, radio signal repeaters 104,
106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132,
and mobile stations 134, 136, 138, and 140. In the embodiment shown, the
mobile station 134 is in radio communication with the radio signal repeater
106, the mobile station 136 is in radio communication with the radio signal
repeaters 106 and 120, and the mobile station 140 is in radio communication
with the radio signal repeater 118. Generally, the base station 102 and the
radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124,
126, 128, 130, and 132 have respective radio communication ranges that
overlap and collectively communicate by radio with mobile stations such as
the mobile stations 134, 136, 138, and 140 in a coverage area 142
surrounding the base station 102. The base station 102, the radio signal
repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128,
130, and 132, and the mobile stations 134, 136, 138, and 140 may be referred
to simply as radio stations.
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Referring to Figure 2, the base station 102 (also shown in Figure 1) is
illustrated schematically, and in the embodiment shown includes a
microprocessor 144 and program memory 146, an input/output ("I/O") module
148, and configuration memory 150. The program memory 146 in the
embodiment shown includes random-access memory ("RAM") encoded with
codes generally for directing the microprocessor 144 to carry out functions of
the base station 102. The I/O module 148 includes a radio communication
port 152 in communication with a radio antenna 154. The I/O module 148 also
includes a backhaul port 156 for communicating with a backhaul 158 of the
base station 102. The backhaul 158 connects the base station 102 to other
base stations in a radio communication network and to other communication
networks, such as telephone networks and the internet for example, to
facilitate communication between mobile stations in the coverage area 142
(shown in Figure 1) with mobile stations (not shown) outside of the coverage
area (142) and with other telephones and computers on the internet (not
shown), for example. The configuration memory 150 in the embodiment
shown is also a RAM, and generally stores data for configuring the base
station 102. Although the base station 102 in the embodiment shown includes
the microprocessor 144, the program memory 146, the I/O module 148, and
the configuration memory 150, alternative base stations may include
additional or alternative components such as hard drives and application-
specific integrated circuits ("ASICs"), for example.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the radio antenna 154 in the embodiment shown
facilitates radio communication with the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108,
110, and 112 on at least five different radio channels, namely first and
second
downlink radio channels 160 and 162, first and second uplink radio channels
164 and 166, and a configuration and control radio channel 204. Although for
simplicity the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204 are illustrated in
Figure 1 only between the base station 102 and the radio signal repeater 106
and between the radio signal repeaters 106 and 120, in the embodiment
shown the base station 102 is also in radio communication with the radio
signal repeaters 106, 108, 110, and 112, the radio signal repeater 104 is in
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radio communication with the radio signal repeaters 114 and 116, the radio
signal repeater 106 is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters
118 and 120, the radio signal repeater 108 is in radio communication with the
radio signal repeaters 122 and 124, the radio signal repeater 110 is in radio
communication with the radio signal repeaters 126 and 128, and the radio
signal repeater 112 is in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters
130 and 132, all on the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204. The radio
antenna 154 thus functions as a radio communication interface, or simply as
an interface, to the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 in the
embodiment shown.
Herein, "radio channel" refers to a multiplexed communication channel in one
or more radio or other electromagnetic frequency bands. In the embodiment
shown, the base station 102 is configurable to multiplex the radio channels
160, 162, 164, and 166 using frequency-division multiplexing, in which case
the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166 are multiplexed onto respective
different radio frequency bands. The base station 102 in the embodiment
shown is also configurable to multiplex the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and
166 using time-division multiplexing, in which case the first downlink radio
channel 160 and the first uplink radio channel 164 are time-division
multiplexed in a first radio frequency band, and the second downlink radio
channel 162 and the second uplink radio channel 166 are time-division
multiplexed in a second radio frequency band different from the first radio
frequency band. However, in any case in the embodiment shown, the
configuration and control radio channel 204 is multiplexed in a frequency band
different from frequency bands of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166.
Alternative base stations may multiplex the radio channels 160, 162, 164,
166, and 204 using different multiplexing techniques, and the configuration
memory 150 in the embodiment shown stores configuration data specifying a
particular multiplexing technique for the base station 102.
In the embodiment shown, the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204
are in respective radio frequency bands in a radio frequency band between
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about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, which may be referred to for simplicity as
the "60 GHz" band and which is unlicensed in the United States. In alternative
embodiments, the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204 may have
other radio frequencies, such as other radio frequencies known as Extremely
High Frequencies ("EHF") between about 30 GHz and 300 GHz, for example.
The respective radio frequency bands of the radio channels 160, 162, 164,
166, and 204 are also specified in the configuration memory 150 in the
embodiment shown.
Referring back to Figure 2, the program memory 146 includes downlink codes
168 that include blocks of code for directing the microprocessor 144 to
transmit a downlink signal. Referring to Figure 3, the downlink codes 168 are
illustrated schematically and begin at 170 in response to receiving a downlink
message from the backhaul 158 (shown in Figure 2). A downlink message
received at 170 from the backhaul (158) may include any message directed to
a mobile station in the coverage area 142 (such as the mobile stations 134,
136, 138 and 140 shown in Figure 1), and may include a voice message, a
data message, or a configuration message, for example. The downlink codes
168 continue at block 172, which directs the microprocessor (144) to cause
the radio antenna 154 to transmit a downlink signal encoded with the downlink
message received at 170 on the first downlink radio channel 160. The
downlink codes 168 continue at block 174, which directs the microprocessor
(144) to transmit a downlink signal encoded with the downlink message
received at 170 on the second downlink radio channel 162. The downlink
codes 168 then end.
Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the base station (102) receives a
downlink message from the backhaul (158), and the base station (102)
transmits downlink signals including that message on both the first and
second downlink radio channels 160 and 162. Alternative base stations may
transmit a signal on only one of the first and second downlink radio channels
160 and 162, in which case one of the blocks 172 and 174 may be omitted.
Still other alternative base stations may select one of the first and second
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downlink radio channels 160 and 162 for downlink signals directed to
particular radio signal repeaters in radio communication with the base
station.
Referring to Figure 4, an exemplary downlink signal transmitted in response to
the codes in block 172 or 174 (shown in Figure 3) is shown generally at 176,
and includes a destination identifier field 178 for storing an identifier of a
destination for the downlink signal, and a message field 180 storing the
message received at 170 (shown in Figure 3). Downlink signals in the
embodiment shown are therefore digital data packets. However, in alternate
embodiments, downlink signals may be analog signals or digital data stream
signals that are not transmitted as digital data packets, for example.
Referring back to Figure 2, the program memory 146 also includes uplink
codes 182 for directing the microprocessor 144 (shown in Figure 2) to receive
an uplink signal from one of the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110,
and 112 (shown in Figure 1) in the embodiment shown. Referring to Figure 5,
the uplink codes 182 are illustrated schematically and begin either at 184 in
response to an uplink signal received on the first uplink radio channel 164 at
the radio antenna 154 (shown in Figure 2) or at 186 in response to an uplink
signal received on the second uplink radio channel 166 at the radio antenna
(154). In either case, the uplink codes 182 continue at block 188, which
directs the microprocessor (144) to transmit the message encoded in the
signal that was received at either 184 or 186 to the backhaul 158 (shown in
Figure 2). Therefore, referring back to Figure 1, in the embodiment shown the
base station 102 receives uplink signals on the first and second uplink radio
channels 164 and 166 from the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, and
112, and transmits messages encoded in those uplink signals to the backhaul
158 (shown in Figure 2).
Referring to Figure 6, an exemplary uplink signal received at 184 or 186
(shown in Figure 5) is shown generally at 190, and includes a source
identifier
field 192 for storing an identifier of a source (such as one of the mobile
stations 134, 136, 138, and 140 shown in Figure 1, for example) of an uplink
message, and a message field 194 for storing the message. An uplink
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message in the uplink message field 194 may include data for voice
communication or other data, for example. Also, in the embodiment shown,
the uplink signal 190 is a digital packet, but in alternative embodiments,
uplink
signals may include analog signals or digital data stream signals that are not
divided into packets, for example.
Referring back to Figure 2, the program memory 146 also includes
configuration codes 196 for directing the microprocessor 144 (shown in Figure
2) to receive and transmit configuration information. Herein, "configuration
information" may also refer to control information, and a "configuration
signal"
may also refer to a signal including control information. Referring to Figure
7,
the configuration codes 196 in the embodiment shown begin at 198 in
response to receiving configuration information from the backhaul 158 (shown
in Figure 2). Configuration information received at 198 may include
configuration information specifying multiplexing techniques, frequency bands
for the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204, and generally other
configuration information for the radio communication system 100 (shown in
Figure 1), for example. The configuration codes 196 continue at block 200,
which directs the microprocessor 144 (shown in Figure 1) to store the
configuration information received at 198 in the configuration memory 150
(shown in Figure 2). The configuration codes 196 continue at block 202, which
directs the microprocessor (144) to transmit a configuration signal encoded
with the configuration information on the configuration and control radio
channel 204.
As indicated above, the configuration and control radio channel 204 in the
embodiment shown is also between about 57 GHz and about 64 GHz, but is
in a frequency band different from frequency bands of the radio channels 160,
162, 164, and 166. Therefore, in the embodiment shown, configuration
information is sent in a different radio frequency band from uplink and
downlink signals, which may advantageously permit greater flexibility for
timing configuration signals in some embodiments. Alternatively, the
configuration and control radio channel 204 could be multiplexed in the same
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radio frequency bands as the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166, for
example.
Referring to Figure 8, an exemplary configuration signal transmitted at block
202 (shown in Figure 7) is shown generally at 326, and includes a
configuration information field 208 for storing configuration information such
as the configuration information received at 198 (shown in Figure 7).
Referring to Figure 9, the radio signal repeater 106 (also shown in Figure 1)
is
shown schematically and in the embodiment shown includes a
microprocessor 210 and configuration memory 212, program memory 214,
temporary memory 216, and an I/O module 218 all in communication with the
microprocessor 210. The configuration memory 212 in the embodiment shown
includes RAM and stores information for configuring the radio signal repeater
106 such as configuration information received in the configuration signal 206
(shown in Figure 8), for example. The program memory 214 in the
embodiment shown also includes RAM and stores codes generally for
directing the microprocessor 210 to carry out functions of the radio signal
repeater 106. The temporary memory 216 in the embodiment shown includes
RAM and stores various data that are generated and accessed during
operation of the radio signal repeater 106. The I/O module 218 includes a
radio antenna port 220 in communication with a radio antenna 222, and in the
embodiment shown the radio antenna 222 facilitates radio communication
with the base station 102 and with the radio signal repeaters 118 and 120
(shown in Figure 1) over the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204. The
radio antenna 222 thus functions as a radio communications interface, or
simply as an interface, for radio communication with the base station (102)
and with the radio signal repeaters (118 and 120). Although the radio signal
repeater 106 is illustrated in the embodiment shown with the microprocessor
210, the configuration memory 212, the program memory 214, the temporary
memory 216, and the I/O module 218, alternative radio signal repeaters may
include different components such as hard drives and ASICs, for example.
The program memory 214 includes downlink codes 224 generally for directing
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the microprocessor 210 to respond to a downlink signal transmitted by the
base station 102 (shown in Figure 1) at block 172 or 174 (shown in Figure 3)
in the embodiment shown.
Referring to Figure 10, the downlink codes 224 are illustrated schematically
and begin either at 226 in response to receiving a downlink signal 176 (shown
in Figure 4) at the radio antenna 222 (shown in Figure 9) on the first
downlink
radio channel 160 in response to the codes at block 172 (shown in Figure 3),
or at 228 in response to receiving a downlink signal (176) on the second
downlink radio channel 162 in response to the codes at block 174 (shown in
Figure 3).
If the downlink codes 224 begin at 226, then the downlink codes 224 continue
at block 230, which directs the microprocessor 210 (shown in Figure 9) to
measure a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received on the first downlink
radio channel 160, and to store the signal-to-noise ratio in a first signal-to-
noise ratio store 232 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in Figure 9). The
downlink codes 224 continue at block 234, which directs the microprocessor
(210) to determine whether a signal encoded with the same data was also
received on the second downlink radio channel 162. A signal encoded with
the same data may also be received on the second downlink radio channel
162 in response to the codes at block 174 (shown in Figure 3).
If at block 234 a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the
second downlink radio channel 162, then the downlink codes 224 also begin
at 228 and continue at block 236, which directs the microprocessor (210) to
measure a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal on the second downlink radio
channel 162, and to store the signal-to-noise ratio in a second signal-to-
noise
ratio store 238 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in Figure 9). The
downlink codes 224 continue from block 236 to block 240, which directs the
microprocessor (210) to determine whether a signal encoded with the same
data was also received on the first downlink radio channel 160.
If at block 234 a signal encoded with the same data was also received on the
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second downlink radio channel 162, or if at block 240 a signal encoded with
the same data was also received on the first downlink radio channel 160, then
the downlink codes 224 continue at block 242, which directs the
microprocessor (210) to determine whether the signal on the first downlink
radio channel 160 was stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio
channel 162. In the embodiment shown, the codes at block 242 direct the
microprocessor (210) to compare the signal-to-noise ratios stored in the first
and second signal-to-noise ratio stores 232 and 238 (shown in Figure 9), and
the microprocessor (210) determines that the signal on the first downlink
radio
channel 160 is stronger than the signal on the second downlink radio channel
162 if the first signal-to-noise ratio store (232) stores a greater signal-to-
noise
ratio than the second signal-to-noise ratio store (238).
If at block 242 the signal on the first downlink radio channel 160 is stronger
than the signal on the second downlink radio channel 162, or if at block 234
there is no signal encoded with the same data on the second downlink radio
channel 162, then the downlink codes 224 continue at block 244, which
directs the microprocessor (210) to configure an uplink transmit radio channel
store 246 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in Figure 9) to set the first
uplink radio channel 164 as the uplink transmit radio channel. The downlink
codes 224 continue at block 248, which directs the microprocessor (210) to
configure a downlink receive radio channel store 250 in the temporary
memory 216 (shown in Figure 9) to set the first downlink radio channel 160 as
the downlink receive radio channel.
Referring back to Figure 1, in the embodiment shown the radio signal repeater
106 is in radio communication with the mobile station 134 on a mobile station
radio channel 252. In the embodiment shown, the radio channels 160. 162,
164, 166, and 204 are in the 60 GHz band, whereas the mobile station radio
channel 252 is in a GSM radio band at about 2 GHz. In alternative
embodiments, radio signal repeaters may communicate with mobile stations
in various radio frequency bands such as radio frequency bands for GSM,
CDMA, TDMA, and IEEE 802.11 or 802.16, for example, and such mobile
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station radio channels will generally be in lower radio frequencies than the
radio frequencies of the radio channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204 in the
embodiment shown.
Referring back to Figure 10, the downlink codes 224 continue from block 248
to block 254, which directs the microprocessor (210) to determine whether the
destination identifier in the destination identifier field 178 (shown in
Figure 4)
of the signal received at 226 designates a downlink radio channel in the
mobile station radio channel 252. In the embodiment shown, the destination
identifier in the destination identifier field (178) designates a downlink
radio
channel in the mobile station radio channel 252 if the destination identifier
in
the destination identifier field (178) designates a mobile station in radio
communication with the radio signal repeater (106) on the mobile station radio
channel 252, such as the mobile station 134 shown in Figure 1 in the
embodiment shown. If at block 254 the destination identifier in the
destination
identifier field (178) designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile
station
radio channel 252, then the downlink codes 224 continue at block 256, which
directs the microprocessor (210) to configure a downlink transmit radio
channel store 258 in the temporary memory 216 (shown in Figure 9) to set the
mobile station radio channel 252 as the downlink transmit radio channel.
Otherwise, the downlink codes 224 continue at block 260, which directs the
microprocessor (210) to configure the downlink transmit radio channel store
(258) to set the second downlink radio channel 162 as the downlink transmit
radio channel.
After either block 256 or 260, the downlink codes 224 continue at block 262,
which directs the microprocessor (210) to determine whether the signal-to-
noise ratio of the downlink receive radio channel exceeds a threshold stored
in a threshold store 264 in the configuration memory 212 (shown in Figure 9).
If the downlink receive radio channel was set as the first downlink radio
channel 160 at block 248, then the codes at block 262 compare the signal-to-
noise ratio stored in the first signal-to-noise ratio store 232 to the
threshold
stored in the threshold store 264. If at block 262 the signal-to-noise ratio
of the
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downlink receive radio channel exceeds the threshold, then the downlink
codes 224 continue at block 266, which directs the microprocessor 210 to
cause the radio antenna 222 (shown in Figure 9) to transmit a downlink signal
on the downlink transmit radio channel (specified by the downlink transmit
radio channel store 258 shown in Figure 9) by amplifying the signal received
from the downlink receive radio channel (specified by the downlink receive
radio channel store 250). However, if at block 262 the signal-to-noise ratio
of
the downlink receive radio channel does not exceed the threshold, then the
downlink codes 224 continue at block 268, which directs the microprocessor
(210) to cause the radio antenna (222) to transmit a downlink signal (176) on
the downlink transmit radio channel (specified by the downlink transmit radio
channel store 258 shown in Figure 9) by digitally decoding the message
received from the downlink receive radio channel (specified by the downlink
receive radio channel store 250) and encoding the decoded message for the
downlink signal. After either block 266 or block 268, the downlink codes 224
end.
Therefore, in the embodiment shown, the radio signal repeater (106) can
repeat a received message either by simply amplifying the received uplink
signal (as at block 266), or by digitally decoding and then encoding the
received message (as at block 268). Where the signal-to-noise ratio of the
received signal is above a threshold, the radio signal repeater (106) may
simply amplify the signal, as a signal with a higher signal-to-noise ratio may
be expected to have fewer errors. However, where the signal-to-noise ratio is
below the threshold, then the signal is more likely to include errors, and
digitally decoding and encoding the message may advantageously enhance
the quality of the repeated signal, particularly if the signal includes
redundant
data-correction information, for example. In alternative embodiments, the
codes at block 262 may be omitted, and the downlink codes 224 may proceed
directly to either the codes at block 266 or to the codes at block 268, for
example. In still other embodiments, the configuration memory 212 (shown in
Figure 9) may include configuration information determining whether to
execute the codes at block 266 or the codes at block 268. Further, in
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embodiments where the downlink and uplink signals are purely analog, then
the codes of blocks 262 and 268 may be omitted such that the downlink
codes 224 proceed directly to the codes at block 266.
Still referring to Figure 10, if at block 240 a signal encoded with the same
data
was not also received on the first downlink radio channel 160, or if at block
242 the signal on the first downlink radio channel 160 was not stronger than
the signal on the second downlink radio channel 162, then the downlink codes
224 continue at block 270, which directs the microprocessor (210) to
configure the uplink transmit radio channel store 246 (shown in Figure 9) to
set the second uplink radio channel 166 as the uplink transmit radio channel.
The downlink codes 224 continue at block 272, which directs the
microprocessor (210) to configure the downlink receive radio channel store
250 (shown in Figure 9) to set the second downlink radio channel 162 as the
downlink receive radio channel.
The downlink codes 224 continue at block 274, which directs the
microprocessor (210) to determine whether the destination identifier in the
destination identifier field 178 of the downlink signal 176 (shown in Figure
4)
received at 228 designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile station
radio channel 252. The codes at block 274 are therefore substantially the
same as the codes at block 254, except that the codes at block 254 direct the
microprocessor (210) to respond to the destination identifier in the
destination
identifier field (178) of a downlink signal (176) received at 226, and the
codes
at block 274 direct the microprocessor (210) to respond to the destination
identifier in the destination identifier field (178) of a downlink signal
(176)
received at 228. If at block 274 the destination identifier in the destination
identifier field (178) designates a downlink radio channel in the mobile
station
radio channel 252, then the downlink codes 224 continue at block 256 as
discussed above. Otherwise, the downlink codes 224 continue at block 276,
which directs the microprocessor (210) to configure the downlink transmit
radio channel store 258 (shown in Figure 9) to set the first downlink radio
channel 160 as the downlink transmit radio channel. The downlink codes 224
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then continue at block 262 as described above, except that if the downlink
receive radio channel was set as the second downlink radio channel 162 at
block 272, then the codes at block 262 compare the signal-to-noise ratio
stored in the second signal-to-noise ratio store 238 (shown in Figure 9) to
the
threshold stored in the threshold store 264 (shown in Figure 9).
Referring back to Figure 1, the radio signal repeater 106 in the embodiment
shown may also receive uplink signals from the radio signal repeaters 118
and 120 or from the mobile stations 134 and 136. Referring to Figures 1 and
9, the program memory 214 also includes uplink codes 278 generally for
directing the microprocessor 210 to respond to an uplink signal 190 (shown in
Figure 6) from one of the radio signal repeaters 118 and 120 or from one of
the mobile stations 134 and 136 in the embodiment shown. Referring to
Figure 11, the uplink codes 278 are illustrated schematically and begin at one
of: 280 in response to receiving an uplink signal (190) at the radio antenna
222 (shown in Figure 9) on the first uplink radio channel 164; 282 in response
to receiving an uplink signal (190) at the radio antenna (222) on the second
uplink radio channel 166; and 284 in response to receiving an uplink signal
(190) at the radio antenna (222) on the mobile station radio channel 252.
After either 280, 282, or 284, the uplink codes 278 continue at block 288,
which directs the microprocessor (210) to measure a signal-to-noise ratio of
the uplink signal received at 280, 282, or 284. The uplink codes 278 continue
at block 290, which directs the microprocessor (210) to determine whether the
signal-to-noise ratio determined that block 288 exceeds the threshold stored
in the threshold store 264 (shown in Figure 9). If at block 290 the signal-to-
noise ratio exceeds the threshold, then the uplink codes 278 continue at block
292, which directs the microprocessor (210) to transmit an uplink signal 190
(shown in Figure 6) on the uplink transmit radio channel (specified by the
uplink transmit radio channel store 246 shown in Figure 9) by amplifying the
signal received at 280, 282, or 284. Otherwise, the uplink codes 278 continue
at block 294, which directs the microprocessor (210) to transmit an uplink
signal (190) on the uplink transmit radio channel (specified by the uplink
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transmit radio channel store 246) by digitally decoding the message received
at 280, 282, or 284, and then encoding the decoded message.
Therefore, as discussed above with respect to blocks 262, 266, and 268
(shown in Figure 10), the codes at blocks 290, 292, and 294 cause the
microprocessor (210) simply to amplify a received uplink signal if the signal-
to-noise ratio of the received uplink signal exceeds a threshold, but to
digitally
decode and encode the received message if the signal-to-noise ratio of the
received uplink signal is less than the threshold, as a signal received with a
lower signal-to-noise ratio is likely to have additional errors that may be
removed by digitally decoding and encoding the message. Again, in
alternative embodiments, the codes at block 290 may be omitted, and the
uplink codes 278 may proceed directly to either the codes at block 292 or to
the codes at block 294, for example. In still other embodiments, the
configuration memory 212 (shown in Figure 9) may include configuration
information determining whether to execute the codes at block 292 or the
codes at block 294. Further, in embodiments where the downlink and uplink
signals are purely analog, then the codes of blocks 290 and 294 may be
omitted such that the uplink codes 278 proceed directly to the codes at block
292.
Referring back to Figure 9, the program memory 214 also includes
configuration codes 296 generally for directing the microprocessor 210 to
respond to a configuration signal 206 (shown in Figure 8) transmitted in
response of the codes at block 202 (shown in Figure 7), for example.
Referring to Figure 12, the configuration codes 296 are illustrated
schematically and begin at 298 in response to receiving a configuration signal
(206) at the radio antenna 222 (shown in Figure 9). The configuration codes
296 continue at block 300, which direct the microprocessor 210 (shown in
Figure 9) to store the configuration information of the configuration
information
field 208 (shown in Figure 8) of the configuration signal (206) received at
298
in the configuration memory 212 (shown in Figure 9). The configuration codes
296 continue at block 302, which directs the microprocessor (210) to cause
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the radio antenna (222) to transmit a configuration signal (206) on the
configuration and control radio channel 204. In the embodiment shown, the
codes at block 302 cause the radio signal repeater 106 to transmit the
configuration signal (206) to the radio station repeaters 118 and 120 shown in
Figure 1.
Referring back to Figure 1, the radio signal repeaters 104, 108, 110, 112,
114,
116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are substantially the same
as the radio signal repeater 106 in the embodiment shown. However, in
operation, the radio signal repeaters 104, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120,
122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 in the embodiment shown communicate by
radio with other such radio stations as shown in Figure 1 and described
above.
Referring to Figure 13, the mobile station 136 is illustrated schematically
and
in the embodiment shown includes a microprocessor 304 and configuration
memory 306 for storing configuration information for the mobile station 136,
program memory 308 generally for directing the microprocessor 304 to carry
out functions of the mobile station 136, temporary memory 310 for storing
data generated and accessed during operation of the mobile station 136, and
an I/O module 312, all in communication with the microprocessor 304. The
configuration memory 306, the program memory 308, and the temporary
memory 310 in the embodiment shown are RAM, and the I/O module 312
includes a radio antenna port 314 for communicating with a radio antenna
316. The mobile station 136 also includes a user interface 317 in
communication with the I/O module 312. The user interface 317 represents
various I/O components for interacting with a user of the mobile station 136,
and in the embodiment shown includes a screen, a microphone, a speaker,
and a keypad (all not shown).
Referring to Figures 1 and 13, the radio antenna 316 in the embodiment
shown facilitates radio communication with the radio signal repeaters 106 and
120. However, unlike the mobile station 134, the mobile station 136 is in
radio
communication with the radio signal repeaters 106 and 120 on the radio
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channels 160, 162, 164, 166, and 204. In alternative embodiments, the mobile
station 136 may be in radio communication with other radio signal repeaters
or base stations, and more generally the radio antenna 316 functions as a
radio communication interface, or simply an interface, for radio
communication with radio signal repeaters such as the radio signal repeaters
106 and 120.
Referring back to Figure 13, the program memory 308 includes downlink
codes 318 generally for directing the microprocessor 304 to respond to a
downlink signal 176 (shown in Figure 4) transmitted in response to the codes
at block 266 or 268 (shown in Figure 10) in the embodiment shown. Referring
to Figure 14, the downlink codes 318 are illustrated schematically and begin
either at 320 in response to receiving a downlink signal (176) at the radio
antenna 316 (shown in Figure 13) on the first downlink radio channel 160, or
at 322 in response to receiving a downlink signal (176) at the radio antenna
(316) on the second downlink radio channel 162. If the downlink codes 318
begin at 320, then the downlink codes 318 continue at block 324, which
directs the microprocessor 304 (shown in Figure 13) to configure an uplink
transmit radio channel store 326 in the temporary memory 310 (shown in
Figure 13) to set the first uplink radio channel 164 as the uplink transmit
radio
channel. The codes at block 324 direct the microprocessor (304) to set the
first uplink radio channel 164 as the uplink transmit radio channel in
response
to a downlink signal received on the first downlink radio channel 160, and the
first uplink radio channel 164 is thus associated with the first downlink
radio
channel 160.
The downlink codes 318 continue at block 328, which directs the
microprocessor (304) to respond to the downlink signal (176) received at 320
or 322. For example the downlink signal (176) received at 320 or 322 may
include a message for voice communication or for other data transmission,
and the codes at block 328 generally direct the microprocessor (304) to
respond to the message accordingly.
However, if the downlink codes 318 begin at 322, then the downlink codes
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318 continue at block 330, which directs the microprocessor (304) to
configure the uplink transmit radio channel store (326) to set the second
uplink radio channel 166 as the uplink transmit radio channel. The codes at
block 330 direct the microprocessor (304) to set the second uplink radio
channel 166 as the uplink transmit radio channel in response to a downlink
signal received on the second downlink radio channel 162, and the second
uplink radio channel 166 is thus associated with the second downlink radio
channel 162. The downlink codes 318 then continue at block 328 as
described above.
Referring back to Figure 13, the program memory 308 also includes uplink
codes 332 generally for directing the microprocessor 304 to transmit an uplink
signal 190 (shown in Figure 6). Referring to Figure 15, the uplink codes 332
are illustrated schematically and begin at 334 in response to receiving an
uplink message. The uplink message received at 334 may include uplink data
for voice communication or other data communicated from the mobile station
(136), for example. The uplink codes 332 continue at block 336, which direct
the microprocessor 304 (shown in Figure 13) to transmit an uplink signal (190)
including the uplink message received at 334 in the message field 194 (shown
in Figure 6) of the uplink signal (190) on the uplink transmit radio channel
specified by the uplink transmit radio channel store 326 (shown in Figure 13).
The uplink codes 332 then end.
Referring back to Figure 13, the program memory 308 also includes
configuration codes 338 generally for directing the microprocessor 304 to
respond to a configuration signal 206 (shown in Figure 8) received at the
radio
antenna 316 on the configuration and control radio channel 204 in response
to the codes at block 202 (shown in Figure 7), for example. Referring to
Figure 16, the configuration codes 338 are illustrated schematically and begin
at 340 in response to receiving the configuration signal (206) from the radio
antenna (316). The configuration codes 338 continue at block 342, which
directs the microprocessor 304 (shown in Figure 13) to store configuration
information from the configuration information field 208 of the configuration
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signal 206 (shown in Figure 8) received at 340 in the configuration memory
306 (shown in Figure 13). The configuration codes 338 then end.
Referring to Figure 17, an illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and
received in the radio communication system 100 (shown in Figure 1) is
illustrated schematically and shown generally at 344. The sequence of signals
344 begins when the base station 102 transmits a first downlink signal 346 on
the first downlink radio channel 160 encoded with a first message 348 in
response to the codes of block 172 of the downlink codes 168 (shown in
Figure 3). The radio signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink signal
346
and transmits a second downlink signal 350 on the second downlink radio
channel 162 encoded with the first message 348 in response to the codes at
blocks 230, 234, 244, 248, 254, 260, 262, and either 266 or 268 of the
downlink codes 224 (shown in Figure 10). The mobile station 136 receives the
second downlink signal 350 in response to the codes at blocks 330 and 328 of
the downlink codes 318 (shown in Figure 14). The mobile station 136 then
transmits a first uplink signal 352 encoded with a second message 354 on the
second uplink radio channel 166 in response to the codes at block 336 of the
uplink codes 332 (shown in Figure 15). Then the radio signal repeater 106
receives the first uplink signal 352 and transmits a second uplink signal 356
on the first uplink radio channel 164 encoded with the second message 354 in
response to the uplink codes 278 (shown in Figure 11). The base station 102
then receives the second uplink signal 356 in response to the uplink codes
182 (shown in Figure 5).
In summary, in the sequence of signals 344, the radio signal repeater 106:
receives, from the base station 102, the first downlink signal 346 encoded
with
the first message 348 on the first downlink radio channel 160; after receiving
the first downlink signal 346, transmits, to the mobile station 136, the
second
downlink signal 350 encoded with the first message 348 on the second
downlink radio channel 162; receives, from the mobile station 136, the first
uplink signal 352 encoded with the second message 354 on the second uplink
radio channel 166; and after receiving the first uplink signal 352, transmits,
to
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the base station 102, the second uplink signal 356 encoded with the second
message 354 on the first uplink radio channel 164.
In an alternative embodiment also shown on Figure 17, the base station 102
also transmits a third downlink signal 358 on the second downlink radio
channel 162 and encoded with the first message 348, and the radio signal
repeater 106 receives the third downlink signal 358 before transmitting the
second downlink signal 350. However, in this alternative embodiment, the
radio signal repeater 106 measures (at block 230 shown in Figure 10) a
higher signal-to-noise ratio of the first downlink signal 346 than for the
third
downlink signal 358 (measured at block 236 shown in Figure 10). Therefore,
at block 242 shown in Figure 10, the radio signal repeater 106 determines that
the first downlink signal 346 on the first downlink radio channel 160 is
stronger
than the third downlink signal 358 on the second downlink radio channel 162,
and the downlink codes 224 therefore continue at blocks 244, 248, 254, 260,
262, and 266 or 268 (shown in Figure 10) in this alternative embodiment.
Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, the radio signal repeater 106 also
receives, before transmitting the second radio signal (the second downlink
signal 350), a fifth radio signal (the third downlink signal 358) encoded with
the first message 348 on the second radio channel (the second downlink radio
channel 162), but because the first signal (the first downlink signal 346) is
stronger than the fifth signal (the third downlink signal 358), the codes at
block
242 (shown in Figure 10) cause the radio signal repeater 106 to select (at
block 260 shown in Figure 10) the second radio channel (the second downlink
radio channel 162) instead of the first channel (the first downlink channel
160)
for the second radio signal (the second downlink signal 350).
Referring back to Figure 1, the mobile station 136 is also in radio
communication with the radio signal repeater 120 on the radio channels 160,
162, 164, 166, and 204, and due to interference or other environmental
conditions, for example, the mobile station 136 may lose radio communication
with the radio signal repeater 106 and begin receiving downlink signals
instead from the radio signal repeater 120. Referring to Figure 18, another
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illustrative sequence of signals transmitted and received in the radio
communication system 100 (shown in Figure 1), where the mobile station 136
receives downlink signals from the radio signal repeater 120 instead of from
the radio signal repeater 106, is illustrated schematically and shown
generally
at 374. The sequence of signals 374 begins when the base station 102
transmits a first downlink signal 376 on the first downlink radio channel 160
encoded with a first message 378. The radio signal repeater 106 receives the
first downlink signal 346 and transmits a second downlink signal 380 on the
second downlink radio channel 162 encoded with the first message 378. The
radio signal repeater 120 receives the second downlink signal 376 and
transmits a third downlink signal 382 on the first downlink radio channel 160
encoded with the first message 378. The mobile station 136 receives the third
downlink signal 382 in response to the codes at blocks 324 and 328 of the
downlink codes 318 (shown in Figure 14). The mobile station 136 then
transmits a first uplink signal 384 encoded with a second message 386 on the
first uplink radio channel 164 in response to the codes at block 336 of the
uplink codes 332 (shown in Figure 15). Then the radio signal repeater 120
receives the first uplink signal 384 and transmits a second uplink signal 388
on the second uplink radio channel 166 encoded with the second message
386. Then the radio signal repeater 106 receives the second uplink signal 388
and transmits a third uplink signal 390 on the first uplink radio channel 164
encoded with the second message 386. The base station 102 then receives
the third uplink signal 390.
In summary, in the sequence of signals 374, the radio signal repeater 120:
receives the second downlink signal 380 from the radio signal repeater 106;
after receiving the second downlink signal 380, transmits the third downlink
signal 382 encoded with the first message 378 to the mobile station 136 on
the first downlink radio channel 160; and before transmitting the second
uplink
signal 388, receives the first uplink signal 384 encoded with the second
message 386 from the mobile station 136.
In summary, referring to Figures 17 and 18, in the sequences of signals 344
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and 374, the mobile station 136: receives the second downlink signal 350
from the radio signal repeater 106 on the second downlink radio channel 162;
transmits the first uplink signal 352 to radio signal repeater 106 on the
second
uplink radio channel 166 associated (by the codes at block 330 shown in
Figure 14) with the second downlink radio channel 162; receives the third
downlink signal 382 from the radio signal repeater 120 on the first downlink
radio channel 160; and transmits the first uplink signal 384 to the radio
signal
repeater 120 on the first uplink radio channel 164 associated (by the codes at
block 324 shown in Figure 14) with the first downlink radio channel 160.
In the illustrative embodiments shown in Figures 17 and 18, the radio signal
repeaters communicate only in the radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166,
and therefore in such embodiments need not be configured to communicate in
the mobile station radio channel 252. Therefore, in such embodiments, blocks
254, 256, and 274 (shown in Figure 10) may be omitted.
Referring to Figure 19, another illustrative sequence of signals transmitted
and received in the radio communication system 100 (shown in Figure 1) is
illustrated schematically and shown generally at 360. The sequence of signals
360 begins when the base station 102 transmits a first downlink signal 362 on
the first downlink radio channel 160 and encoded with a first message 364. In
the embodiment shown, the destination identifier in the destination identifier
field 178 (shown in Figure 4) of the first downlink signal 362 designates the
mobile station 134, which is in radio communication with the radio signal
repeater 106 over the mobile station radio channel 252 as shown in Figure 1.
Therefore, the radio signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink signal
362
and transmits a second downlink signal 366 encoded with the first message
364 on the mobile station radio channel 252 in response to the codes at block
254 shown in Figure 10. The mobile station 134 receives the second downlink
signal 366, and later transmits a first uplink signal 368 encoded with a
second
message 370 on the mobile station radio channel 252. The radio signal
repeater 106 receives the first uplink signal 368 and transmits a second
uplink
signal 372 encoded with the second message 370 on the first uplink radio
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channel 164 in response to the uplink codes 278 (shown in Figure 11). The
base station 102 then receives the second uplink signal 372 in response to
the uplink codes 182 (shown in Figure 5).
In summary, in the illustrative sequence of signals 360, the radio signal
repeater 106: receives the first downlink signal 362 encoded with the first
message 364 on the first downlink radio channel 160; after receiving the first
downlink signal 362, transmits, to the mobile station 134, the second downlink
signal 366 encoded with the first message 364 on the mobile station radio
channel 252; receives the first uplink signal 368 encoded with the second
message 370 from the mobile station 134 on the mobile station radio channel
252; and after receiving the first uplink signal 368, transmits, to the base
station 102, the second uplink signal 372 encoded with the second message
370 on the first uplink radio channel 164.
In the illustrative sequence of signals 360, the mobile station 134
communicates on the mobile station radio channel 252 with the radio signal
repeater 106, and the mobile station 134 may thus be considered to be in a
micro, pico, or femto cell of the radio signal repeater 106. In the embodiment
shown, one or more of the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112,
114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may establish
respective such micro, pico, or femto cells.
Referring back to Figure 1, the mobile station 140 is in radio communication
with the radio signal repeater 118 on the mobile station radio channel 252. In
the embodiment shown, the configuration information received at 198 (shown
in Figure 7) and transmitted in the configuration information field 208 (shown
in Figure 8), for example, may configure the mobile stations 134 and 140 to
be in radio communication with the radio signal repeaters 106 and 118 on
respective different subchannels of the mobile station radio channel 252.
More generally, in the embodiment shown, the configuration information may
associate various subchannels of the mobile station radio channel 252 with
each of the radio signal repeaters 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118,
120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132, and one or more mobile stations in
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radio communication with one of those radio signal repeaters may also be
associated with the subchannel associated with the radio signal repeater.
These different subchannels may be advantageous to reduce interference in
transmissions from adjacent radio signal repeaters on the mobile station radio
channel 252, for example.
The configuration information may also associate the subchannels of the
mobile station radio channel 252 with respective subchannels in each of the
radio channels 160, 162, 164, and 166. In such a configuration, the codes at
blocks 172 and 174 (shown in Figure 3) and at blocks 266 and 268 (shown in
Figure 10) transmit downlink signals 178 (shown in Figure 4) in respective
subchannels of the first and second downlink radio channels 160 and 162 that
are associated with the destination mobile station of the downlink signals,
and
the codes at blocks 292 and 294 (shown in Figure 11) and at block 336
(shown in Figure 15) transmit uplink signals 190 (shown in Figure 6) in
respective subchannels of the first and second uplink radio channels 164 and
166 that are associated with the source mobile station of the uplink signals.
Also in such a configuration, the destination identifier field 178 (shown in
Figure 4) and the source identifier field 192 (shown in Figure 6) may be
omitted because the destination or source of a signal may be identified by the
subchannel of the downlink signal (178) or of the uplink signal (190), and the
codes at blocks 254 and 274 (shown in Figure 10) may determine whether the
signal is designated for the mobile station radio channel 252 by identifying
the
subchannel of the transmit downlink signal (178) received at 226 or 228 (also
shown in Figure 10).
Referring to Figure 20, another illustrative sequence of signals transmitted
and received in the radio communication system 100 (shown in Figure 1) is
illustrated schematically and shown generally at 392. The sequence of signals
392 begins when the base station 102 transmits a first downlink signal 394 in
a subchannel of the first downlink radio channel 160 associated with the
mobile station 134. The radio signal repeater 106 receives the first downlink
signal 394 and transmits a second downlink signal 396 to the mobile station
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134 on a subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated with
the mobile station 134. Later, the mobile station 134 transmits a first uplink
signal 398 on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252
associated with the mobile station 134, and the radio signal repeater 106
receives the first uplink signal 398 and transmits a second uplink signal 400
to
the base station 102 on a subchannel of the first uplink radio channel 162
associated with the mobile station 134.
Later in the sequence of signals 392, the base station 102 transmits a third
downlink signal 402 on a subchannel of the first downlink radio channel 160
associated with the mobile station 140. The radio signal repeater 106 receives
the third downlink signal 402 and transmits a fourth downlink signal 404 on a
subchannel of the second downlink radio channel 162 associated with the
mobile station 140. The radio signal repeater 118 receives the fourth downlink
signal 404 and transmits a fifth downlink signal 406 to the mobile station 140
on a subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated with the
mobile station 140. Later, the mobile station 140 transmits a third uplink
signal
408 on the subchannel of the mobile station radio channel 252 associated
with the mobile station 140. The radio signal repeater 118 receives the third
uplink signal 408 and transmits a fourth uplink signal 410 on a subchannel of
the second uplink radio channel 166 associated with the mobile station 140.
The radio signal repeater 106 receives the fourth uplink signal 410 and
transmits a fifth uplink signal 412 on a subchannel of the first uplink radio
channel 164 associated with the mobile station 140.
The radio communication system 100 may enable communication at higher
radio frequencies, such as EHF frequencies for example, advantageously
enabling greater operating bandwidth available in such higher radio
frequencies. In practice, the base station 102 of the radio communication
system 100 may replace an existing base station using only lower radio
frequencies to upgrade the existing base station and provide greater
operating bandwidth. Further, the radio signal repeaters described above may
advantageously be positioned closer together, as may be required to
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accommodate the shorter range of higher radio frequencies, as the at least
two different channels for uplink signals and the at least two different
channels
downlink signals may advantageously reduce interference between the
signals.
While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, such
embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the
invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.
